I am friends with many musicians, predominantly Prog, but a few who create music for less cultured tastes and most of them struggle to record and put out new material. Invariably they have day jobs, families and other things on their to do lists that get in the way of the recording process; and that is not even mentioning the costs involved with getting product recorded and out to the public.
There are some who, somehow, manage to create new material, and make it available in a way that would put everyone else to shame. Nick Fletcher is a prime example of that. Over the last six years he has released six solo albums as well as the two John Hackett Band recordings. A fair rate of output but that doesn’t mean that quality has been sacrificed to quantity and his latest album An Unfolding of Miracles is proof of that. The common threads running through his solo albums are his inherent skill on guitar, which is a sublime mix of jazz and rock, along with hints of other influences in there as well. Enhanced, thanks to the talented musicians he somehow manages to recruit, and add their skills and, finally, there is the diverse music that ensures that the listener is in no danger of getting déjà vu on each track or subsequent album.
Just like his last album, The Mask of Sanity, he is inspired by the works of Carl Jung which, in the hands of some musicians, could mean that he’d risk disappearing up his own orifice by churning out a pretentious mess, like Eric Woolfson/Alan Parsons did with their Freudian, a curates egg of an album, about Sigmund Freud. But, thankfully, Frankie Howard is no longer available to add vocals. Instead Nick avoids any such indulgences by keeping An Unfolding Of Miracles a collection of textured instrumentals. Opting for the path that involved excellent music and a cerebral approach to the psychiatrist’s work that isn’t condescending or inaccessible. Thankfully you do not need to be familiar with Jung’s book ‘Modern Man in Search of a Soul’ to appreciate this album, (although I think it would make a damn fine title for an album).
As for the album, it starts with Song of Acceptance, the shortest track here. A charming tune played on an acoustic guitar that makes me picture someone sat on a window ledge, playing the instrument as they look out at the rain outside. To Be Seen, To Be Heard however brings us back into familiar prog/jazz territory, thanks to the combination of Roberto Porto’s frantic drumming and Nick heavier guitar. Reminiscent of Weather Report at their finest.
Next up is Light of Becoming, not being overly familiar with the vast works of Jung I can’t say what this title, or the other’s allude to, but this tune, the longest on the album, is a wonderful jazz tune that prods at the edges of rock. You might not get the cultural reference in the title but the track is well worth a listen. Thanks to artists like Kenny G, the term smooth jazz can have connotations that would make many people run away but An Unfolding of Miracles is a smooth without the bland downsides, think Spyro Gyra and you’ll be on safe ground. Just as I was feeling chilled out and relaxed Nick decides to crank up the tempo and move back into rock territory. Not quite heavy metal but it is still a cracking, up tempo tune, with Nick showing off his guitar skills. Although they are all good, Unravelling of Illusions is my favourite tune on the album.
Following, Only Now In Dreams part 1 is a plaintive piece that recalls the first track, in that it makes me think of lazy, relaxed Sundays with no pressures or stress. Although I can’t remember when I last experienced such a day in real life. The Path of Fire on the other hand is another up-tempo jazz/rock fusion track, that once again allows guitars and drums to go on an adventure in sound. Eminently listenable.
I have to admit that I had to look up the word abscission for clarity on The Abscission Zone track. Finding out it related to the shedding of leaves and fruit did nothing to help me understand the title, but I think it is immaterial as the tune is, yet again, another wonder of musicianship. Finally Only Now In Dreams part 2, brings the album to a close. A lovely gentle track enhanced by the nuanced vocals of Dikajee. The music flows like a river taking me through some beautiful countryside.
Nick’s theme might have been based on Jung but to me it was a collection of beautiful tunes that could ease a soul and take me to a distant, nostalgic place that might never have truly existed but, if it did I’d like to go there again.
MUSICIANS
Nick Fletcher – Guitars, Guitar Synth, Angel Vibe Guitar, Bass (2)
Roberto Porto – Drums
Jonathan Ihlenfeld Cuniado – Fretted & Fretless Bass
~ With:
Tomasz Bura – Keyboards (2 & 3)
Olga ‘Dikajee’ Karpova – Vocalisations
Caroline Bonnett – Keyboards, Loops
TRACK LISTING
01. Song Of Acceptance (Thirty Years Earlier) (2:01)
02. To Be Seen, To Be Heard (6:46)
03. Light Of Becoming (7:43)
04. An Unfolding Of Miracles (6:01)
05. Unravelling Of Illusions (6:56)
06. Only Now In Dreams part 1 (2:49)
07. The Path Of Fire (5:48)
08. The Abscission Zone (4:48)
09. Only Now In Dreams part 2 (3:50)
Total Time – 46:45
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 12 th October 2026
